Have you ever consulted a financial planner?

[sv2007]

Maybe my post about using a planner is too aggressive. Perhaps many people have talked to a planner, at least in the estate planning department?

If you did talk to one,
How did you pick him/her? What was your interview/selection process?
Do you think you got your money's worth?

[disneysteve]

Maybe my post about using a planner is too aggressive. Perhaps many people have talked to a planner, at least in the estate planning department?

If you did talk to one,
How did you pick him/her? What was your interview/selection process?
Do you think you got your money's worth?

The answer is still no. I have never used a planner in any way.

[TexasHusker]

I am sure there are good FPs out there. But how many years of lost earnings will you waste until you find a good one?

Of all the things I feel great about outsourcing to experts - pest control, car repairs, carpet installation, and tax prep, my investments are simply too important to do so.

[corn18]

Maybe my post about using a planner is too aggressive. Perhaps many people have talked to a planner, at least in the estate planning department?

If you did talk to one,
How did you pick him/her? What was your interview/selection process?
Do you think you got your money's worth?

I consulted a CFA once for free and he reviewed my situation and determined I was doing everything right and told me I didn't need him. That was refreshing.

Estate planning is completely different. I tried doing the online thing for a will, POA, medical directive and living trust and did not feel confident I was doing it right. So I started the search for an estate planning lawyer. First one I found via recommendation here. She didn't work out because she didn't have expertise in living trusts. Second one did work out and was recommended by a good friend. She built us the "book" and walked us through all of our estate options in detail. She detailed everything we wanted to do to make sure our estate plan would function as we desired. And I can tell you, I had missed many very important things that I did not learn from my attempt at an online estate plan. Best $1,500 I ever spent. We'll only know how good the plan is after I'm dead, so let's hope it's good.

Tom

[frugal saver]

For myself, I've consulted a financial planner twice. The first time I was young and just starting to save. I went to a woman who told me I'd never have anything until I got rid of the money-wasters--like my cat. Hmmm......

The second time was a free visit with a local firm to see if I was on track for retirement. I was, and we had a pleasant chat.

But I've gone with my mother to visit her financial planner many times. He's churned her account, dumped her into funds that were totally inappropriate for her age and situation and generally made me crazy while condescendingly smiling at us. She refused to change planners.

I can get free advice at the moment from one of the big mutual fund companies I'm with--Preferred Client, or something like that--but I rarely do.